Israel, citing World Central Kitchen, says Hamas tried to smuggle drugs into Gaza via aid packages

Israeli authorities, citing a report from the World Central Kitchen, accuse Hamas of attempting to smuggle drugs into the Gaza Strip via the humanitarian aid group’s food packages.

In a statement, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), responsible for coordinating aid distribution in the territory, says WCK “responsibly reported a smuggling attempt detected inside humanitarian aid supplies.”

“During food preparation in their kitchen, illegal drugs were found concealed inside canned pepper packages, including: 6 packs of hashish (600g total) [and] unidentified illicit substances (162g),” COGAT says.

COGAT attaches a photo showing six black packages, apparently of the marijuana, as well as another bag with white pills bearing the logo of the luxury car Lexus, which have previously been used in packages of captagon pills.

Captagon is an amphetamine-type stimulant manufactured mostly in Lebanon and Syria. Israeli officials have previously called it the “Islamic State drug,” as it was supposedly used by jihadists to prevent fear and fatigue during fighting in Syria and Iraq. Captagon pills have previously been seized en route to the Gaza Strip.

“We view Hamas’s continuous exploitation of humanitarian aid for illicit smuggling with extreme severity. Hamas stops at nothing, even embedding dangerous narcotics directly into the humanitarian aid entering Gaza. Such cynical tactics jeopardize vital aid operations for their own selfish gains,” COGAT adds.

Earlier today, @WCKitchen responsibly reported a smuggling attempt detected inside humanitarian aid supplies.

During food preparation in their kitchen, illegal drugs were found concealed inside canned pepper packages, including:
▪️ 6 packs of hashish (600g total)
▪️ Unidentified… pic.twitter.com/6oZVC4xMKp

— COGAT (@cogatonline) August 24, 2026